Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Walter Smith a railway car man, born 1868 in Loughborough, Leics., and his wife Sarah Ann, born 1865 in Loughborough, Leics. Walter James was born in 1892 in Loughborough, Leics., his siblings were, Harriet, born 1890, Winifred, born 1895, Charlotte Ann, born 1897, George Arthur, born 1899 and Agnes Pretoria, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, Leics. In March 1901 the family home was at 41, Roseberry Street, Loughborough, Leics. In April 1911 Walter was employed as a dye works trimmer and was residing in the family home at 43, Roseberry Street, Loughborough, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Winifred, a hosiery worker, Charlotte, a hosiery worker, George, a schoolboy, Agnes, a schoolgirl, Frances Cecilia, a schoolgirl, born 1903, Thomas Andrew, a schoolboy, born 1905 and Florence Maud, born 1907. On Friday January 26th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” The following local casualties are officially reported. All are privates except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. From Friday’s list:- DIED OF WOUNDS – SHERWOOD FORESTERS. Smith, 35802 W. (Barrow-on-Soar).